After serving in the military, and working in law enforcement and as an EMT, I truly believe that school safety is my calling and vocation, and I am thankful for my experience in those other fields because they led me here and gave me tools that I can use in my current field. There are times when this job isn’t easy. As a School Safety Officer (SSO), you work in a school, but you’re not necessarily part of the tribe. You’re not an educator., and sometimes, they’ll let you know it. While, at my current school, I will say that I have a great working relationship with the principal and most of the staff, that’s not always been the case at some of the other schools I’ve worked at or consulted for. Remember – SSO’s are outsiders. A necessary evil for some, and it can be tiresome navigating office and institutional politics, as well as egos, but when you truly know your Why, you can easily put up with any Who or How.

As an SSO, my Why is the school’s parents and students, and at times, their appreciation will manifest as little things. Little things that mean so much to me.